James Owen hoping Wimbledon Hawkeye can be Breeders’ Cup ace

Wimbledon Hawkeye will head straight for the Breeders’ Cup following his lucrative success in America last weekend.

Although James Owen’s charge had previously failed to get his head in front since winning the Royal Lodge as a two-year-old, he has been placed in a number of high-profile races this season including the Craven Stakes, the Dante, the Princess of Wales’s Stakes and the Gordon Stakes.

The Kameko colt travelled to Kentucky Downs as a leading contender for the $2million Nashville Derby and claimed a thrilling victory in the hands of Frankie Dettori, who Owen hopes will be on board again at Del Mar on November 1.

“It was perfect, a great result. I’m proud of the horse and proud of the team that took him over. It was great prize-money and we had a great time,” said the Newmarket handler.

“He’s won prize-money every time he’s ran, so he’s a great horse for us to have. The international scene was what we wanted to get on and that was a great start for us.

“He’s come out of the race really well and we’re looking forward to going back to America for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. He’ll go straight there, he’s been busy, so he’s got a nice break now until that.

“An extra furlong is going to help him and quick ground obviously suits. It’s going to be a strong race against older horses, but he deserves his chance in it now. He travelled well, Frankie really liked him and hopefully he’ll be keen to ride him again.

“We’re nine weeks away, so it’s hard to say for sure, but I’m sure he’ll be available.”